Mining machine



Feb. 19, 1929. 1,702,828

M..P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 18. 1922 Patented Feb. 19,1929.

" E STATES MORRIS r. HOLMES,-OF. nnw-rr'almrsnmn; AssIerIorv r s LLivAN MA- cnmnmr compan A conronArIoN OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING Manama;

Application flled Decernber 18,1922. Serial no. 607,536.

My invention relates to mining machines.

It has for its object to provide animproved mining machine of the-swinging'bar type, usually lrnown' as the long-Wall type, having improved means for unlocking or looking the swinging bar thereof in position before or after a swinging operation; "A further obect of m invention 'isftorovide im roved bar holding means whereby thebar maybe automatically locked in position afteria swinging operation, and, more particularly,

whereby the bar'may be moved from its longitudinal position into a lateral cutting p'osition, and locked therein automatically "as soon as it has completed its movement.

I These and other objects and advantages of vin practice.

' in different'positions.-

my invention Will be hereinafter more fully described. I In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes ofillustration one em bodiment Which'my invention may assume In these drawings,+' Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine equipped with my improvement, the bar being shown Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view 'of the w front end of the construction shown inFig.

1, the bar being shown in. longitudinal or- .minmg machine motor throughnsual connec-v facilitate illustration.

Fig. l is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view showing the locking pin in and out of locking position.

In this illustrative constructicin I have shown a mining machine generally designated at 1 slidable on its bottom on a mine:

1 slot 16 and its adjacent portion extended around the slot 17 after the fashion shown bottom and having a", pivoted cutter bar 2 carrying a usual circulating ,cu tterechain 3 and adapted to'be moved freely about apivot l on the rear end of the machine from the full line longitudinal positionshown in Fig-.1, to lateral positions, as for instancethe position illustrated in dotted linesin that figure, im provedunlocking and locking means for the bar hereinafter described cooperating tolock the bar in the desired position. 1 4

In my improved construct'on it Wlll"b':f observed that the head 5 of the mining'machine is-provided with cut-awe portions or notches 6,7 radially located a outthe bar pivot afn'd' inv this illustrative :constri'ictiqn in the bar in .itsadjusted position,

fr nt-and at each sidethereof. The bar 2 also. herein carries an upstanding member 8 having a vertically disposed socket 9 therein adapted to receive-a rotary unlocking and verse slot 11 at a point intermediate its ends I and'i'n the plane ofthe n'otches 6 and 7, so" thatthe pinmay beturned about its axis in such 'manner'as to bring its body portion 12 "into the desiredone of the" notches 6, 7 and thereby hold the'bar against lateral movement' relative to the head, while when the pin isturned 'reversely the body portion 12 I thereof is disposed entirely outside the given notch so that a'curved surfacel3'on the port1on;12 may run along the peripheryfof the head,'indicated at 14, Whenthe'bar is swung, about itspivot. Attention 'is' also directed V to the fact that this' pin 10 has ahead 15 having a double ended chain slot 16therein disposed perpendicular to itsgaxis and alsecond communicating chain slot 17 extending from theslot 16 part Way around the circumference ofthe head, these chain 'slots'being provided for cooperation with 'the'flexible feed ng member of. the machine, herein in the form ofa'chain '18 and driven withthe cutter chain Well knownmanner by the tions '(notshown) I In the operation of my improved construction it will be; evident that. withthe bar in either position illustrated, the pin 10 is rotatable in such manner as to move its body 1 12 out of its cooperating notch and thus 're lease the bar for sw nging movement. ,When

this: is done, the flexible feed chain 18'o-fthe 1 mining machine mayhave its end laid in the in Fig. 2 so that afterthe bar 2 has, been pull upon the member 18 will not onlyswing the'bar 2 aboutits pivot to a position oppoportion 12 into the notch 7 and thereby lock whereupon the chain may be'manually removed from the recess and lateral eut-ting'begim site. the notch '7, but when the pin 10 is brought opposite; thenotch 7 rotate [the pin reversely insuch manner as to bring its body q Here it iii eration'de'scrib'edwith the flexible feedingreversely member then being extended around the head in order to swing the bar reversely and lock it in its longitudinally ex Attentmn s also directed tended position. to the fact that if desired he bar may he swung-laterally to either the right or left as desired and swung back into longitudinalposition.

As a result of my'improved construction, it Will be observed that all necessity tor-withdrawinga locking pin from thebar andconseq-uen-t ditliculty arising from the eli'ort to dislodge-the pin and the ditliculty otdoing this especially markedv in low coal, is avoided, my improved rotating'locking pin being much morereadily operable and looking or unlocking-the barwithout requiring the raising or lowering oit an'yzpart and consequent digging in the root or bottom. It will also be evident that the diilionlt task of locking the barby" inserting a-pin Bis obviated the rotatable pin being movable into -locking position much more readily and quickly in my improved'construction6 Further, when the tier: ible feetling member is usech the only steps necessary atter'the pinhas been turned into unlocking position are the connection and disconnection of the free end otth'e flexible teed memberto the top ot'the pin and operation of the feed to drawin the feed member, steps which may be readily andquickly made; Here it-w ill also be noted that the connection of the flexible teeding me'mber to the pin is m'aintained'aitterthe bar has been locked in its lateral; position until manually released, an advantageous feature since the free end of the flexible feeding member is thus prevented from dropping down int'o'the then rotating cutter chain in such manner as to cause damage to the machine.

While I have inthis applicatioii specifically described this embodiment of my invention utilizing a rotating locking pin as adaptecl to use with a flexible feeding member in the form'ofa chain, it will be evident that the pin construction may be modified and also used with other flexible members than. chain's withoutdeparting from the spirit of my'inventio'n it being my intention to include allsuc'h modifications "within the scope of the appendedclaims;

What I- claim as new and desire tosecure by Letter-s Pat-entis: r

1. The combination with a-'1i1'1111ng' m'a chine having; a 'fraineya' swingable cutter bar thereon; and bar-swinging means includingra flexible connection and guiding-means tor the latteig of bar locking means antomatlcally op erable to lock the-bar to said frame after a predetermined swinging movement of the bar said bar locking means being operatedsolely b." said flexible connection without chans'ino" the relation of the latter With respect to said gu din means.

2. Tliecomlolnation with amimny-machme having" a frame, a swing'ahle cutter bar thereon; and bar swinging means'including a flex ible connection and guiding means for the latter, of rotary bar locking means automatically operable after a swinging movement of said bar in eitherdirection to lockthe latter to said. frame, said locking means being operated solely'by said flexible connection wit out changing the relation of the latter with spect-to said guiding means.

l. The'combination with a' mining-an achinc having a frame, a swingable cutter bar-thereon, and barswinging meansincluding a new ible memberof ba'r'locking'means including a locking member rotatable on its longitudinal 1 i V och axis to lock said bar to said frame,- said ing member also forming an abutmen' said flexible bar swii'iging member.

The combinationwith a min ing machi e having a frame, a swingabl'e cutter, bar 1 on. and bar swinging means including a ible fe'edmg'menibcr of bar locking" means including locliing element rotatable on its longitudinal axis to lock said bar to said frame, said locking-member also forming abutment for said flexible feeding; men'ib'er and being rotatable in one direction by the latter. I v I 6. The combination with a mining machine having a frame, a swingab'le cutter bar thereon, and bar' swinginggneahs including a ible feedingn'iember; of bar locking means 111- eluding a locking element rotatable on its longitudinal as to lock said bar to said frame; said lOClilllQ; member also torming an abutment for said flexible 'leechng men'iber and being rotatable in either direction by the latter.

7i Thecombination with a mining nachinc having: a notched-head, a swinoja ble cutter bar thereohy-and bar swinging-means including; a feeding-member, eta bar locking),' pin rotat able on its longitudinal axis and carried by said'bar and rotatableinto and out of locking engagement with notches insaid'head said locking pinalso'forming an abutment "for said feeding member.

8. The con' bination with a mining; machine having a trans: a swingable cutter bar there- 1 thereon, and bar-swinging means including a flex ble feeding member,; of bar; locking means formed on said member and frame 111 on, and bar swingingmeans including a' flexible member, or bar locklng means including a locking pin rotatable on its longitudinal axis and having provision whereby upon con-1 nection of said flexible member to said pin said bar maybe swung and said pin rotated to lock said bar toisaid frame automatically after a predetermined swinging movement-of said bar.

9. The combination with a mining machine having a head provided with radially located. recesses and a swinging cutter bar providedwith a in socket therein, of a pin rotatably seated 1n said socket and having a portion movable into andout of said recesses whereby upon rotation of said pin'the bar maybe locked indifferent angular positions,-said pin alsohaving a feed member abutment thereon and after a predetermined movement rotatesaid pin into .locking position.

11.'The combination; with amming ma-.

chine having a frame, a-swingable cutter bar eluding a locking member-rotatable on its longitudinalaxis and carriedonf said bar,

said locking member having a feed member abutment and arranged after a predetem mined'swinging movement of said bar rela tive to said frame tobe turned into. locking position by said flexible feedingmember connected thereto, and'to maintain its connection to said flexible feeding member after said turning movement.

12. The combination with ma chine having a frame,a swingable cutterbar 1 thereon, and-bar swinging means, of bar locking means rotatable on an axis parallel with the axis of bar swing carriedby said bar and engageable with said bar. swinging means to effect transmission of swinging movement to said bar and automaticallymovable by said bar swinging means to lock said bar to said,

frame when a predetermined position is reached. Q

13. The combination with a mining ma chine having a frameand-a Jswingable cutter.

bar thereon, of bar locking means rotatable on an axis parallel tothe' axis of bar swing to effect locking of the bar to said frame and means to bias it toward locking position durpredetermined position.-

ing bar swing whereby saidbar may be automatically locked when it reaches a predetermined position. I e I l LaThe comb nation with amining machlne having a frame and a swingable cutter bar thereon, of bar locking means, rotatable onan axis parallel to the axis of bar swing to effect unlocking of the bar from said frame and means to bias it; toward locking position during bar swing'whereby said'bar may be automaticallylocked when it reaches a 'pre- I determined position. 7 V

15. The combinationwith a mining machine having a frame and axswingable cutter bar thereon, of bar locking means including "a locking'memberrotatable on itslongitudinal axisto effect locking ofsaid'bar to said frame and means tobias it toward locking position'during bar swing whereby said bar may be automaticallylockedwhen it reaches a predetermined position.

16. The combinatlon with a mining'machine'having' a frame and a swingable cutter barthereon, of bar locking means including a locking member rotatable on its longitudinal axis ineitherdirection from a predetermined position to effectrelease of said bar from said frame and means to bias said bar locking i means toward 1 locking .position during bar swing whereby said bar may be automatically sitionpk V o 1-7.- The "combination with -.a mining machine having-a notchediframe and aswingable cutter barthereon, of bar locking means r0 lockedwhen it reachesa'predetermined p0? tatableonan axis parallel'to the axis of bar swing and engageable with the notch in said frame to lock the latter and said bar together and means to v biassai-d'bar. locking means toward locking position;- during bar swing whereby said bar maybe automatically locked when it reaches apredetermined position.

' 18. The combination with a mining machine having a frameand a swingable cutter bar thereon, ofbar locking means including a locking element rotatable onits lon'gitudinalaxis andicarr ed on said bar and engage abl'e'with said frame upon. rotation in either direction from aipredetermined position, to

locksaid frame andbar together-and means 2 tobias said element toward locking position {during bar swing "whereby said bar maybe automatically locked when'it reaches a, predetermined position. V .2 19. The combination with a mining machineh'aving a frame and a swingable cutter bar. thereon, of bar-locking means rotating on an axis lyingin a common plane with axis of bar swing to change the COIldltlOllOf said bar as respects its being locked to or unlockedffrom said frame andmeans to bias said bar locking means towardlocking posi-T,

tion during bar swing whereby said bar may be. automatically locked when it reaches a 'a locking pin rotatable on its longitudinal axis and having a cutaway portion and a body portion movable into locking engagcment with said frame and means to bias said locking pin toward lockii gj'position diirii ig' bar swing whereby said'bar may be automatically locked whenit reaches a predetermined position.

22. The combination with a mining machine h'avinn' 'recessedhead and aswingable cutter barthereon, of a locking); pin rotatable on its longitudinal axis an-dcarried by said bar and engageable with or disengageable from a recess: in said head on rotation in either direction from predetermined v positions to loot: or unlock said bar with respect to said head and means to biassaid lockingpin toward looking position during bar swing whereby said bar maybe automatically locked when it reaches a predetermined position. I I

23. The combination with a mining ma chine having a recessedhea'd and a swinggab'le cutter bar thereon, of a rotary bar looking; pin carried by said bar and engageable with or disengage-able from a recess in said head to lock or unlock said bar with respect to said head and rotatable on an axis parallel to the axis of bar swing and means to bias said locking pin toward locking position during bar swing whereby said bar may be automatically locked when it reaches a predeter mined position.

24-. I he combination with a mining ma chine having a frameand a swingab'le cutter bar thereon, of bar lockingineans including a locking pin rotatable on its longitudinal axis to effect locking-and unlocking and having acnt awayportion and abody. portion movable into locking engagement with-said frame, said pin havingbearing portions at opposite sides of said cut away portion-.. I

25. The combination witha mining inachine having a frame and a swingable cutter.

bar thereon, ofbar. locking means including a locking pin-rotatable on-its longitudinal axis to etlect lockingand unlockingand n-aving acut away portion and abody portion movableinto locking; engagement with said frame, said locking pin having bearing portion adjacent said out away.portionand having a'portion spaced from said cut away portion by said bearing portion and proyided with means whereby a rotating "force maybe transmi ted thereto. 7 I r 26. The combii'iation with .aniining machine having a frame and a'swin-g-able critter bar thereon of bar locking meansinelnding a locking: pin rotatable on its longitudinal axis to eftect locking and unlocking andihaw cut away portionanda body portionmovable into locking engagementwith said frame, said locking pin having a bearing portion adjacent'saidcut away portion and having a portion spaced from said cut away portion. by said bearing portion and provided with means whereby a rotating force may be transmitted thereto and saidypin also having a bearing portion at the opposite side of said cut away portion. I Y I 27. In combinationin a mining machine; a machine frame; a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon "for swinging movement, said frame havlng an a-rcuate notehed flangje and said bar having a lip overlying said flange and supporting means for said lip,

and means including a pin having bearing portions above and below said. flange and carried on saidbar rotatable on an axis-parallel to the axis of bar'swinjg into and out of locking engagement with i said notched flange. 4 v I In testimony whereof 'I" my signature.

j onms ii -tonnes. 

